Two Hundred And Eighty

Two Hundred And Eighty

On returning to the main Conclave hall the first thing I noticed was that as the seats were filling up there had been a definite shift in the numbers, a noticeable group forming behind Kudou-san, who must have finished his meeting, and Haru-san and Eri, who both looked pretty tired. On seeing me, Eri smiled in relief, mopping sweat from her brow. Oh, so the Diviner and Princess Mikasa are back on the stage, but Kudou-san remained here, huh?

“You’re back?” Eri asked. “Where’s Shaeula?”

“Hanging out with the others. She’ll return in time for the start.” I said. “So, how was it, doing some adult work?” I asked teasingly. “Does my old school even allow part-time jobs?”

“Yeah, very funny.” Eri pouted adorably, and Haru-san smiled a little at our banter. “You know they do, our school isn’t that strict. Besides, it isn’t like I’m getting paid.” I made a quip about paying her in hugs, so she rolled her eyes at my lame humour before continuing. “Still, it was... interesting, I guess? I thought I’d be more wary of speaking to people, but when it’s for work, it doesn’t seem so hard.”

Haru-san nodded, flourishing her tablet which now had pages and pages of data. “Yes, I’m... not the outgoing person I used to be. Well, I’m not even a person now, I’m a ghost.” She deadpanned, and I was beginning to realise that sort of grim humour might be one way she was coping with her trauma and guilt. “Although...” she let out a long sigh. “... I was never really that outgoing. Sure, I had friends and went to the usual drinking parties with my colleagues, but I was always a daddy’s girl, I guess. I liked spending time at home. But...” she looked at Eri, a touch fondly. “... well, when it’s for work, all business, it’s a lot easier. You know what to expect, what you have to do. Although...” her smile changed, as she tapped at her head. “... I do have an advantage in that. See the notes in purple here?” she showed me the tablet, and I could see she had made annotations based on reading their thoughts via telepathy.

“That’s pretty shrewd.” I said, impressed. “So, your control, is it improving?”

“I still get leakage.” She sighed. “But I can largely turn it off, and I can focus on a person now, though again I can hear other thoughts nearby.” Her voice dropped to a faint whisper at that, before she glanced at Eri. “I think you did well, considering your worries. I’d hire you at the Ministry with how committed you are, well, to helping Akio-san, anyway.”

Eri blushed a little at that. “Reading what I’m thinking isn’t fair. But, well, you did give me pointers and advice as I was helping, so I forgive you!”

“Ah, to be young again.” Kudou-san laughed, and from beside him, Chiyo-san agreed.

“Indeed. I never thought I’d be sitting here on the same side as you.”

“Well, us elderly folk have to stick together. I dare say Bankei will come around as well? What we are aiming for is very much in line with his desires, right?”

As the two continued their discussion, that reminded me. “So, Haru-san...” I said, serious, and as Shaeula came into the hall and sat down beside us, I raised the next stage of my plan. “I was thinking, your Territory... I know you were planning to establish it in Tokyo, which makes sense, but... perhaps instead, if we could find a place with suitable earth or water element here in Kyoto, we could set up a Ring Gate linking it to Shirohebizumi Shrine...” If the upcoming threat from these ‘ants’ is in the Boundary, then via Ring Gate we could respond in minutes, and it offers other possibilities. We can station troops here, prepare defences...

Shaeula scowled, thinking. “Well, that-that would be one idea. The plentiful earth element thanks to Asha’s Rhyming Tree should be able to support another Ring Gate without much-much issue, but Primal Forest, the ruler of the treekin and plantkin, is a greedy one indeed.” She frowned, her brows furrowing. “My useless brother often complains about the price he had to pay to secure the gates he did-did. Though... well, it is not-not as though we do not-not have leverage. Though he may demand a price that you are unwilling to pay.” It seemed she had some idea of what he would charge.

“Well, as long as it’s not too onerous, we can consider it. I really don’t want to let the Diviner die. It isn’t fair.”

“Always with the girls in trouble. No, well, she’s not a girl is she? An older woman for a change.” Eri sighed. “You should have more tact, I’m sitting right here.”

“I know you don’t want her to die either.” I ruffled her hair to stop her pouting. “Besides, she’s a bit like you in a way. She’s never had that much of a life. At least you had Aiko by your side. All she had was her visions. It’d be nice to show her that fate isn’t absolute, and that life holds a lot of fun, happy things.”

“I get it, damn, I get it.” Eri sighed. “It was the same with Shaeula. Why did I have to fall in love with such a playboy?” she sighed. “Well, one or two more... I suppose it doesn’t matter.”

Yeah, I’ve denied it a lot, but I suppose after Shiro, there’s no reason for them to believe me. Giving up on that, I turned to Haru-san again, who was looking on, her pale face amused. “So yeah. I know you have the Ministry job, and I think this can be a part of that, in a way. It’s a bit cheeky of me telling you where to place your own Territory, but this way you can commute to it through mine when needed, and I can support you. You might have to spend some nights at Shirohebizumi, which I’m sorry about. I know you want to live at home with your father, but... well, at least until we stave off the upcoming threat...”

“There’s no need for that.” Haru-san shook her head. “After all, I’m your Vassal, right? Not just that... if you dismissed me, I’d lose my body and I’d be back to being a sad little Onryo, drifting though that Boundary, just crying all the time.” She smiled then, her melancholy somehow beautiful, like a sad work of art. “This... this is satisfying.” She gestured to the tablet, with all its data. “It’s work with dignity and meaning. And I’ve been around your Territory enough to know that matters too. So I’ll do it. Though making me work at the Ministry by day and in Kyoto at night...” she winked at Eri and Shaeula, surprising me. “... Akio-san sure is a slavedriver, right? Talk about the boss of a black company!”

“Well, he does-does work this princess hard.” Shaeula admitted. “Yet he does not-not spare himself, so I forgive him. I am rather magnanimous after all.”

“I want Akio to rely on me.” Eri said happily. “As long as we have time for each other, I don’t mind!”

Kudou-san burst out laughing at that. “Lucky, a flower in each hand. More, if Takakura-san is to be believed. I’d better watch you don’t sink your claws into my precious Shiori!” he joked. “Anyway, it’s nearly time.” He gestured to the stage, where Uchida-san and the others were seated. “You should head up. Take my place. After all, you have some support.”

I do. The seats behind me have faces I saw on the Susanoo and Amaterasu benches before. I guess people have talked during the recess. Oh well... With one last nod to my allies, I strode confidently to the stage and sat down beside Matsumuro-san and the Princess. “How was she?” I asked the Princess, who seemed shocked I had addressed her, before she managed a shy smile.

“Tsukiko-chan is as she always is. Stubborn.” She managed a small chuckle. “But... I think she’s happy you are so vehemently defending her, Akio-san. Oh, I can call you that, right?”

“Don’t mind it. I get that’s just how princesses are, my own is rather forward.” She followed my gaze, before nodding, her braids swaying.

“Well, I won’t mind it then.” She let out a tired sigh. “But... you do have a plan, right? It seemed to me our talk during the break was left unfinished.”

“I do.” I turned to the Diviner, who was listening impassively. “So when you hear it, I hope you’ll see how serious I am.”

My only answer was a slight inclination of her head, and resisting the urge to use my Eye to check her facial expression behind the veil, I waited for Bankei-san to start the next stage of the Conclave, which had moved away from a debate on leadership or the Ministry itself, to what faith sought as a whole from this new order, and could contribute. As the old monk stood up to speak, I readied myself for another battle of wits, hoping it would go as well as the first one, despite the craziness and personal revelations that had required...

********

“... a lot of shrines have been lost over the centuries.” The middle-aged man in priestly robes was saying from near the front of the Amaterasu benches. “I think that since we have proof that is undeniable that the Gods are real and that they favour Japan, we should be helped to restore our old, crumbling shrines, and for those that have lost the land over the years due to poverty or duplicity to be offered restitution and helped to reclaim it.”

“Though those we cannot, we should show no mercy.” Yamato-san declared, talking over me. “Especially creatures such as orcs. After all, are they not myths imported from other lands? We have no use for such immigrants.”

Wow, harsh. I echoed my sister in my thoughts. “Well, we have to remember that while the Boundary might seem a bit like a game, like a trapped-in-a-VRMMO story...” Mine-san and a few of the younger people reacted to that. “... it isn’t NPC’s we are fighting, but living beings. And the danger is very real too.”

“Indeed. People have died, and even a shrine has now fallen, deconsecrated, the enshrined kami slain. All because the idiots within took unnecessary risks.” Saionji-san declared. Kudou-san let out a long sigh, signalling his agreement, even if I thought the sentiments were harsh. After all, it could easily have been me dead enough times, though lately I finally seem to be getting ahead of the curve...

“Protecting a Territory is hard work. In mine, I have a lot of Fae and other creatures I’ve allied with. A mutually beneficial agreement. Look, we can’t regulate everything that happens in the Boundary, in someone’s Territory, but I do suggest making allies, there are other benefits as well. But generally, a Territory is ruled by the one who holds power over the Anchor. And I firmly believe that we shouldn’t attack each other recklessly. Chosen are a finite resource, and the Diviner, Matsumuro-san, has predicted we don’t have a lot of time, which tracks with what I and some others have been told. We can’t predict what will happen, but we can prepare. To that end...” I grinned. “I was hoping to be able to have one of my companions set up a Territory in Kyoto, so I can make good on my promise of protecting Matsumuro-san, as we can provide support and expertise.”

“But if Territories declared to the Ministry are inviolate, then that means you would effectively be claiming a chunk of Kyoto for your own.” Yamato-san said, suspicion radiating from him. He really needs to learn how to mask his emotions better, not that I’m an expert at it...

“That’s true. Obviously any shrines that fell under that area, I would offer the same deal as I did to Shirohebizumi shrine, and I would hope anyone affected would talk to Izumi-san and Shirohebi to understand the implications of that. I would also need an area rich in earth or water elements.”

“Elements, huh. I think we should explain, as only those who have been Chosen will understand.” Bankei-san said, still moderating the discussion, which was far more peaceful than this morning’s.

“Well, that’s simple. The Boundary contains a wealth of mysterious things. One resource that can be exploited is elemental energies. They can be used by those with talent, and though it is difficult, people can learn to use them, just like Eri did. Kiyomizu-dera has an abundance of light element, for example. Obviously, one can control who uses the elements on their own Territory, but I foresee a future where elements and other such things are taxed by the Ministry and government, and the tax can be used to benefit the country and other worthy causes....” I launched into my idea. While I wouldn’t welcome any reduction, longer-term we had to think as a country, as a world, as a whole. “... so I need access to that element here to link up a travel gate, which is Fae technology. Just another reason to try being friendly with others.” I concluded, after explaining to the rapt crowd.

“Excuse me, Akio-san.” Saionji-san had a rather scary expression on his face. “Didn’t you chide me for using the Gaze of Avalokitesvara recklessly, when now I find you messing with spatial abilities yourself?”

Oh. Yes. That’s true. But... “Yes, I can see why you might be a bit upset. However, I am being cautious and not overusing them.” The cost, for one. I wonder what this Primal Forest is going to ask for... “The ability is different too. Shaeula could move between the lands of the Fae and Japan’s Boundary without a Gate, so they are already connected, and it is a single, fixed point. So while I won’t say the risk is none, it is far less problematic...”

“I’ll let you convince me. This time.” Saionji-san smiled, though it wasn’t a pleasant one.

“That still sidesteps the main issue.” Uchida-san said then. “I applaud your willingness to safeguard the noble Lady Diviner.” He stubbornly wasn’t using her name. “However, the end result is you will claim a chunk of Kyoto, and under the laws proposed, it will remain yours forever.” Yamato-san echoed him, agreeing with his father.

“Well, obviously there can be trades done.” I sighed. “One can offer Territory to another, or even break down the Territory completely and relocate elsewhere. Moving it seems to take a higher-Ranked Territory, but breaking it down and starting a new one should work. Obviously to prevent issues, it should require the consent of all parties, and be mediated by the Ministry, another duty it should take on, that way we can avoid power harassment, extortion and other underhanded means. But trading for favours, money or resources, that should be fair game.”

“I see. That seems... reasonable. So once the threat has passed to the lady Diviner...” Uchida-san mused.

“Well, it’s wasteful breaking down a Territory, but certainly, my goal is to safeguard Matsumuro-san. Anything else is secondary.”

The Princess giggled at that, whispering that I was a dangerous man.

“So, the Boundary has an influence on the Material, and is filled with beings and resources, that even if they don’t bear fruit now, in a year, five or ten, we might well see a paradigm shift in science and diplomacy.” I summed up. “Working with the Ministry, politicians, scientists and the nobility, I hope to bring a revolution to this Country. Imagine if we could make transport gates that worked here in the Material. Wouldn’t that hold infinite possibilities? Medicine, energy, material science... who knows what we could achieve?”

At that, Haru-san and Eri started to applaud me, and a few others joined in, though it died a bit of a death. Still, I’d said my piece. Nothing would be decided today, there was still the two sessions tomorrow, but it definitely looked like people were taken with the ideas I had presented. Leaning back in my chair, I listened as another member of the audience asked their question...

********

Well, that was lengthy. As the closing remarks of the day were made by Bankei-san, I headed back towards my seats. I passed by Akai, who shrank back in her own chair as I passed, hissing, but I was starting to get used to that by now so I paid her no mind.

“That was very well-well done, Akio.” Shaeula approved. “You sounded rather regal. I do so hope you can be as eloquent when you meet-meet the rulers of the Seelie Court.”

“I’ll do my best. So, Eri, Haru-san, ready to meet up with Aiko and the others? They’ll kill us if we miss the concert.”

“Not me.” Haru-san shook her head. “I’m not much into popular music. Besides...” she looked a bit embarrassed, her pale skin flushing slightly. “... Your parents asked me to join them for a meal, along with some of the other adults.”

Really? Well, I guess it’s all good. It’s nice to see her socialising. “Well, in that case...” I turned to see Mine-san there, looking expectant. “... did you want to come with us, Mine-san? You don’t look like an idol fan, but...”

Before she could speak, Uchida-san had arrived, grabbing her arm. “You have no time for playing around. We have a meeting to go to.” Behind him, an apologetic Hikawa-san shrugged.

“Aw, that’s totally lame. I was like, looking forward to having some fun.” She sighed. “Oh well, see you later, Akio-kun. Girls.” She puffed out her cheeks, piercings glittering. “Have some fun for me!”

“Sure thing.” I said, watching as Yamato-san gathered up more of his faction, including most of the shrines I was involved with, as well as Susanoo’s other Candidates. Well, Susanoo is bleeding numbers to Amaterasu and whatever the hell my faction would be called? Tsukuyomi still? Or Tyr? No, Ortlinde sounds cooler...

“I don’t like him very much. He has cold eyes.” Eri said, pouting.

“Well, he’s a bit arrogant, sure. He does have some talent to back it up though. Those Golden Warriors are a very nice skill, and his Territory is great for a Rank 2. Oh well, let’s go meet up with the others. I can hear my phone pinging constantly.”

“Mine too.” Eri agreed, as did Shaeula. “Aiko is going crazy with anticipation.”

“Fine then. Although...” Hopefully the concert will distract me from the ever-increasing bad feeling my Foresight is giving me. Well, Haru-san will be with my parents, that’s good. The Mori’s should be there too. And I’ll be with my sis and the shrine maidens, so I can protect them... even so... Taking no chances, I sent a message to Grulgor and our mercenaries, giving them some instructions. Conclave’s been going well, so... No, there’s no way I’m letting disaster strike...